GROWING WITH JESUS!

Isaiah 46:4 – Devotional

Isaiah 46:4

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

I once read an article in the newspaper that mentioned something about an elderly man. As I scanned down through the article, I was shocked to read that the man was two years younger than I am. If he was categorized as an elderly man, what does that make me? I guess the answer is in the eyes of the beholder!

My mom used to have a rental property behind her house. A widower lived there and she always referred to him as the old man. One day I challenged her by reminding her that he was three years younger than she was. (That did not go over well with my mom!)

Sometimes I observe people who may be about 35, and wonder, at what point are they no longer considered young people? That is a tough question. It is a fact that many in our modern culture seem to worship the concept of youth.

Can I let you in on a little secret? It is okay to allow yourself to mature (grow old). In Scripture many people were the greatest blessing in their latter years. I have come to the conclusion that age is not a determiner. Regardless of our age we need to put our shoulder to the wheel and grow more like Jesus each and every day.

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

– – – Pastor Cecil

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If you have watched The Sands of Eternity video above and prayed the prayer at the end, please go to https://PastorCecil.com/ and use the form on the webpage to let us know so we can send you follow up resources and/or send an email to pastorcecil@dailyevotional.com and let him know.

THE WAY OF THE JUST!

Isaiah 26:7 – Devotional

Isaiah 26:7

“The way of the just is uprightness. O Lord; You lead the way of the just.”

Sometimes we become discouraged by all of the sin and corruption that we see around us. It is easy to fall into the trap of judging others by their actions while ignoring our own behavior.

Being upright in the sight of God is not being satisfied with our behavior. We all have sinned and fail to meet God’s standards of righteousness. That may cause us to feel depressed until we read in God’s Word that Jesus took our sins to the cross with Him and when we confess our sins, they are immediately forgiven.

Since the Lord has so graciously granted us freedom from the penalty of our sins we need to respond to others in the same way. Just as Christ so freely has taken away our guilt and stain, we need to be people of forgiveness!

Do you show forgiveness to those who cut in front of you? Do you show your longsuffering by being ignored and rejected by friends or family? The right way for us to live is simply follow Jesus one step at a time! The way of the just!

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

– – – Pastor Cecil

Share a blessing by inviting your friends and family to subscribe to Pastor Cecil’s Daily E-Votional by clicking on the Subscribe button above.

Share the Lord with someone by directing them to https://PastorCecil.com.

If you have watched The Sands of Eternity video above and prayed the prayer at the end, please go to https://PastorCecil.com/ and use the form on the webpage to let us know so we can send you follow up resources and/or send an email to pastorcecil@dailyevotional.com and let him know.

GOD’S DEPENDABLE PEOPLE!

Isaiah 29:13 – Devotional

Isaiah 29:13

“These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is made up only of rules taught by men.”

It seems that in our modern world, people are searching for someone who will be faithful regardless of the circumstances. It seems that such dependable people are becoming harder and harder to find.

If that is true for our relationships, think about what God is confronted with. Sadly God has many wishy-washy believers who are more interested in their own welfare than in faithfully serving Him. Their attitude seems to be: “What’s in it for me?”

In today’s Scripture, Isaiah, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit writes about such double-minded people. They talk a good talk, but when it comes to putting their life on the line for the Lord, they fall short.

God wants followers who are willing to put their life on the line. A few days before the family was arrested by the Gestapo for hiding Jews, Corrie Ten Boom’s father commented; “If I am arrested for working to rescue God’s people, I would count it an honor.” That is the kind of reality I want in my life!

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

– – – Pastor Cecil

Share a blessing by inviting your friends and family to subscribe to Pastor Cecil’s Daily E-Votional by clicking on the Subscribe button above.

Share the Lord with someone by directing them to https://PastorCecil.com.

If you have watched The Sands of Eternity video above and prayed the prayer at the end, please go to https://PastorCecil.com/ and use the form on the webpage to let us know so we can send you follow up resources and/or send an email to pastorcecil@dailyevotional.com and let him know.

HIS STRENGTH!

Isaiah 40:29 – Devotional

Isaiah 40:29

“He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.”

I never want to belittle the ordeals that people encounter. Perhaps the worst thing we can say to someone who is going through a “shadow of death” experience is; I know what you are going through. We don’t! It is impossible for us to know what is causing the pain within a person. But the Lord knows!

I vividly recall sitting at the bedside of our daughter as she was dying. Joyce had gone home and it was just Brenda and I in that quiet hospital room. That little girl in a frilly pink dress had now become a mother of three beautiful children, and was just moments from ascending to be with the Lord.

This was no time for me to focus on the loss, but on the joys that awaited her in glory. As I focused upon the glory which awaited her, I almost felt a pang of homesickness for heaven. One of the Scriptures I quoted for Brenda was Psalm 23. Verse 4 was especially precious: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” It was this promise that made her funeral a few days later a celebration of praise.

Some people experience sickness and incapacitation of one sort or another. In those times it is well to consider the way God’s people have suffered across the centuries of time. Some of the greatest songs or poems of praise were penned at times of suffering.

Blessings dear hearts! Walk with God today and be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

Share a blessing by inviting your friends and family to subscribe to Pastor Cecil’s Daily E-Votional by clicking on the Subscribe button above.

Share the Lord with someone by directing them to https://PastorCecil.com.

If you have watched The Sands of Eternity video above and prayed the prayer at the end, please go to https://PastorCecil.com/ and use the form on the webpage to let us know so we can send you follow up resources and/or send an email to pastorcecil@dailyevotional.com and let him know.

TO YOU BEFORE THE CLOSE OF DAY!

Isaiah 26:3 – Devotional

Isaiah 26:3

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

Years ago I recall listening to a sermon tape by Donald Grey Barnhouse, a prominent pastor and teacher. He related that years earlier he was returning by train from an evangelistic meeting he had completed several hundred miles from his home in Philadelphia. He had received a telegram that informed him his son had been in a serious accident and was near death.

His only way back to Philadelphia was by rail and he knew that it would be hours before his train arrived back home. There was nothing he could do but leave his son in God’s hands. As Dr. Barnhouse entered his sleeper, his spirit was greatly disturbed.

As he prayed, he recalled a phrase from Isaiah 65:25, “- – – but dust will be the serpent’s food.” Using that passage he asked the Lord to feed the serpent dust, and to please grant him a good night’s rest. He fell fast asleep and the next thing he knew the porter was touching his shoulder to tell him that they were nearing Philadelphia. The Lord had answered his prayer.

By the way, his son lived and during his time of recuperation committed his life to full time Christian service. If you have been having trouble getting to sleep at night, ask the Lord to give you His blessed rest and to feed the serpent dust.

TO YOU BEFORE THE CLOSE OF DAY

1. To You before the close of day,
Creator of the world we pray!
Your grace and peace to us allow,
And be our guard and keeper now.

2. From evil dreams defend our sight,
From all the terrors of the night.
From all deluding thoughts that creep,
On heedless minds disarmed by sleep.

3. O Father, this we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, Your only Son.
Who with the Holy Spirit and with You,
Shall live and reign all ages through.

To access this free inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: https://gloryscapes.com/toyoubeforethecloseofday/

Blessings dear hearts!

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!

– – – Pastor Cecil

Share a blessing by inviting your friends and family to subscribe to Pastor Cecil’s Daily E-Votional by clicking on the Subscribe button above.

Share the Lord with someone by directing them to https://PastorCecil.com.

If you have watched The Sands of Eternity video above and prayed the prayer at the end, please go to https://PastorCecil.com/ and use the form on the webpage to let us know so we can send you follow up resources and/or send an email to pastorcecil@dailyevotional.com and let him know.

COMFORT IN TIMES OF TROUBLE!

Isaiah 41:10 –  Devotional

Isaiah 41:10

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Listen to today’s Message of the Week by Pastor Cecil by clicking above on the play button.

Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today and be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

Share a blessing by inviting your friends and family to subscribe to Pastor Cecil’s Daily E-Votional by clicking on the Subscribe button above.

Share the Lord with someone by directing them to https://PastorCecil.com.

If you have watched The Sands of Eternity video above and prayed the prayer at the end, please go to https://PastorCecil.com/ and use the form on the webpage to let us know so we can send you follow up resources and/or send an email to pastorcecil@dailyevotional.com and let him know.